VHP leader Pravin Togadia on Thursday slammed the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for his reported statement that constructing toilets should take precedence over building temples.

"We are stunned and shocked to hear about the unnecessary mention of
temples by Narendra Modi in a statement wherein he was talking about the need for better sanitation facilities in the country," the VHP international working president said in a statement.

"We too believe in the need for better hygiene. But the way temples were dragged in the matter was uncalled for.

"It is nothing short of an insult to the Hindu society," Togadia said.

"A similar statement was made by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh which had drawn strong condemnation from the BJP.

"We expect the BJP to once again rise to the occasion and condemn the statement made by its own prime ministerial candidate," Togadia added.

Build toilets first and temples later, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi said during a function in the national capital yesterday.

Modi said he dared to say so even though his image as a Hindutva leader did not allow him. "I am known to be a Hindutva leader. My image does not permit to say so, but I dare to say. My real thought is-- Pehle shauchalaya, phir devalaya' (temple first, toilet later)," he had said.